Consider Tax Rebate for Private School Investors, Abbe Tells FG

A former Minister of Interior, Major General Godwin Abbe (retd), has appealed to the federal government to encourage investors in private school sector through tax rebate.

He said training of teachers should be extended to private schools, pointing out that the establishment of private schools in the country is an indication that government alone cannot meet the manpower development.

Abbe, the Chairman/founder, Inomwan Foundation School, Benin City, who made this known during the inauguration of a multi-purpose hall in the school, said the facility is aimed at raising the standard of basic education.

“The whole idea of private schools in Nigeria is an affirmation that government cannot do everything by way of manpower development. In most developed societies, it is the private entrepreneurs that are occupying the drivers’ seats in all aspects. Private developers push the economy and educational development.

“I believe that when government is training those in the public sector, it should extend same to private schools and if possible the private investors should be encouraged through tax amelioration so that they can give more value through training of children and also in sourcing for foreign exchange in importing computers.

“If we do not pay particular attention to education, we will not be able to develop the country. Sound education will relief the country of a lot of problem plaguing us today.”

He added that private investors in education should in turn step up in supporting government and accelerating development in the country.

Dignitaries at the occasion included Retired Justice Joseph Otabor of the Customary Court of Appeal; former Group Managing Director, NNPC, Gaius Obaseki; Prelate, United Baptist Mission of Nigeria, Rev. Osama Usunalele; and Bishop Luke Oseghale, among others.

Founded on January 22, 1995, THISDAY is published by THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LTD., 35 Creek Road Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria with offices in 36 states of Nigeria , the Federal Capital Territory and around the world. It is Nigeria's most authoritative news media available on all platforms for the political, business, professional and diplomatic elite and broader middle classes while serving as the meeting point of new ideas, culture and technology for the aspirationals and millennials. The newspaper is a public trust dedicated to the pursuit of truth and reason covering a range of issues from breaking news to politics, business, the markets, the arts, sports and community to the crossroads of people and society.